KAMPALA.
The Archbishop of the Orthodox Church in Uganda, Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi, has announced that the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Mutebi II, has entrusted the Church with leading all official prayers and celebrations for his forthcoming 71st birthday.
The celebrations are scheduled to take place at St. Nicholas Cathedral Namungoona on April 13, marking a significant moment of collaboration between the Kingdom of Buganda and the Orthodox faith community.
Metropolitan Muzeeyi made the announcement shortly after presiding over Holy Mass to commemorate the Sunday of Orthodoxy — an important feast in the Orthodox liturgical calendar.
Observed annually on the first Sunday of Lent, the day marks the historic restoration of holy icons in the Church.
Between 726 and 843 AD, the Christian Church experienced the Iconoclast Controversy, a prolonged theological dispute in which some believers opposed the veneration of sacred images, arguing that worship was being directed toward icons rather than God.
The dispute was resolved in 843, affirming that icons serve as visual representations to inspire devotion and reflection, while worship is due to God alone.
Since then, Orthodox Christians worldwide have commemorated the restoration of icons as a triumph of faith and doctrine.
Addressing congregants at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Metropolitan Muzeeyi urged believers to treat the Sunday of Orthodoxy with the spiritual weight it deserves.
“This is a day that reminds us to stand firm in the true teachings of the Church,” he said, encouraging Christians to deepen their faith and continue spreading the Gospel.
The Metropolitan then formally communicated the Kabaka’s decision to have the Orthodox Church organize prayers and lead the official birthday celebrations.
The announcement was met with jubilation from the congregation, who expressed excitement and gratitude for the honor bestowed upon their Church.
The involvement of the Orthodox Church in the Kabaka’s birthday underscores the longstanding relationship between the Kingdom of Buganda and various faith communities in Uganda.
Meanwhile, Nsubuga Eriasa, head catechist of Namungoona parish, confirmed that preparations are already underway.
Church leaders have coordinated with the Mengo administration to ensure that arrangements for the April 13 celebrations are conducted in an organized and dignified manner.
As anticipation builds, the faithful and well-wishers are expected to gather at St Nicholas Cathedral to mark both a spiritual milestone and the 71st birthday of Buganda’s monarch in what promises to be a historic celebration